Catharanthus plant named ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Catharanthus  named ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ that is characterized by sterility, upright habit, dark-green foliage, pale green stems, and profuse pale pink flowers. In combination these traits set ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Catharanthus  known to the inventor.

Genus: Catharanthus. Species:×hybrida.

Denomination: ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Madagascar periwinkle that is grown for use as a patio plant, container plant, or bedding plant for the landscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Catharanthus×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’.

‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is characterized, by sterility, upright habit, dark-green foliage, pale green stems, and profuse pale pink flowers. The cultural requirements are well-drained soil, shade, and full sun in cooler climates, as well as little to moderate water. ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ exhibits no pest or disease problems known to the inventor and is tender to cold temperatures but will tolerate heat.

The new Catharanthus cultivar ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is a hybrid that resulted from the inter-specific cross-pollination of an unnamed and unreleased plant of the species Catharanthus pacifica and an unnamed and unreleased plant of the species Catharanthus roseus. The seeds that resulted from the cross-pollination were sown, producing a crop of seedlings. In 2000 the inventor selected from the seedlings, the single hybrid ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ described herein. The selection took place in a cultivated area of Sakurai, Nara, Japan. Selection was based on the distinguishing characteristics of flower color, sterility, and tepal margin.

The female parent is a single unnamed plant of the species Catharanthus pacifica (unpatented) and the male parent plant is a single unnamed plant of the species Catharanthus roseus (unpatented). The closest comparison plant is the female parent Catharanthus pacifica. ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is distinguishable from the comparison plant by sterility, and sinuate tepal margin. ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is distinguishable from the male parent Catharanthus roseus by sinuate tepal margin, and pale pink flowers that are lightest in color, at the tepal edges.

The first asexual propagation of ‘KITAJIMA ANGLE TUTU’ was conducted by the inventor in 2000 in a cultivated area of Sakurai, Nara, Japan. The method of propagation used was vegetative cuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable, uniform and true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Catharanthus cultivar ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’. In combination these traits set ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ apart from all other existing varieties of Catharanthus known to the inventor. ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is sterile.     -   2. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is evergreen.     -   3. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ exhibits profuse pale pink         flowers that are lightest in color at the tepal edges.     -   4. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ flowers exhibit a         combination of irregular lobules and weakly sinuate margin on         each individual tepal.     -   5. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ exhibits an upright habit.     -   6. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGLE TUTU’ exhibits pale green stems         and dark-green foliage.     -   7. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is 35 cm. in height and         35 cm. in width in an 18 cm. container.     -   8. The cultural requirements of Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL         TUTU’ are well-drained soil, shade, to full sun in cooler         climates, and little to moderate water.     -   9. Catharanthus ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is an annual plant         suitable for use as a patio plant, container plant or bedding         plant for the landscape, or as a perennial in USDA hardiness         zone 10 and warmer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings labeled as FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustrate the overall appearance of the new Catharanthus cultivar ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’. Plants in the drawings were grown under greenhouse conditions in Sakurai, Nara, Japan. Rooted vegetative cuttings were planted in 9 cm. containers in October 2003 and were transplanted to 18 cm. containers in January 2004. The plants were kept in a greenhouse and pinched back several times before the drawings were made, in April 2004.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 illustrates the entire plant in bloom from a side perspective.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the flowers.

The plants in both drawings are 7-months-old.

Both drawings were made using conventional techniques and although foliage colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Catharanthus cultivar named ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from plants that were grown indoors under greenhouse conditions. The data was collected from 9-month-old plants in 2-liter containers. Color determinations are in accordance with the 2001 edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Catharanthus×hybrida ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL     TUTU’. -   Species:×hybrida. -   Denomination: ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’. -   Commercial classification: Annual or perennial in USDA hardiness     zone 10 and warmer. -   Common name: Madagascar periwinkle; also erroneously as Vinca. -   Uses: Patio plant, container plant, or bedding plant for the     landscape. -   Container size: Suggested size is 18-centimeter container. -   Cultural requirements: Shade, full sun in cooler climates, any     well-drained soil, and little to moderate water. -   Parentage: ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is a hybrid that resulted from the     cross-pollination of the following parent plants:     -   -   Seed parent.—A plant of the species Catharanthus pacifica.         -   Pollen parent.—A plant of the species Catharanthus roseus. -   Plant description:     -   -   Blooming seasons.—Summer and fall.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Plant habit.—Upright habit.         -   Height ( 2 -liter container).—36 cm. in height.         -   Width ( 2 -liter container).—41 cm. in width.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 10.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative             cuttings.         -   Root system.—Fibrous.         -   Time to initiate rooting.—3 weeks are needed to produce             roots on the initial cuttings.         -   Temperature to initiate rooting.—The ideal air temperature             for rooting under greenhouse conditions is 20° Centigrade.         -   Crop time.—7 months are needed to produce a commercial             18 cm. container plant from an initial cutting.         -   Seasonal interest.—Pale pink flowers in summer and fall. -   Stem:     -   -   Stem diameter.—25 cm. in diameter.         -   Stem length.—21 cm. in length.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Surface.—Fluted.         -   Pubescence.—None observed.         -   Stem color.—N144C.         -   Internodes.—1.50 cm. between nodes. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Leaves are arranged in a combination of             opposite and whorled on an individual stem.         -   Leaf division.—Simple.         -   Leaf shape.—Broadly elliptic.         -   Leaf base.—Obtuse.         -   Leaf apex.—Acute.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate.         -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—145A.         -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—145A.         -   Leaf surfaces (adaxial).—Puberulent.         -   Leaf surfaces (abaxial).—Puberulent.         -   Leaf margins.—Entire.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Petiole dimensions.— 50 cm. in length and 2.75 mm. in width.         -   Petiole shape.—Flattened oval.         -   Petiole color.—145A.         -   Petiole surface.—Puberulent.         -   Leaf color (adaxial surfaces).—Colors 137A and 145A are             individually present on adaxial surfaces.         -   Leaf color (abaxial surfaces).—Colors 138A and 145A are             individually present on abaxial surfaces.         -   Leaf appearance (abaxial surfaces).—Satin.         -   Leaf appearance (adaxial surfaces).—Semi-gloss.         -   Leaf length.—Leaves range from 3.75 cm. to 5 cm in length.         -   Leaf width.—Leaves range from 2 cm. to 2.50 cm. in width.         -   Average number of leaves per stem.—An average of 32 leaves             per stem.         -   Foliar fragrance.—Pungent scent. -   Flower:     -   -   Inflorescence.—Solitary flower.         -   Petals.—Apetalous.         -   Tepals.—Five in number.         -   Fused or unfused.—Tepals are unfused.         -   Tepal margin.—Each individual tepal exhibits a combination             of irregular lobules and weakly sinuate margin.         -   Tepal apex.—Closest to obcordate.         -   Tepal base.—Truncate.         -   Tepal surfaces (adaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.         -   Tepal surfaces (abaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.         -   Tepal shape.—Closest to rhombic.         -   Tepal dimensions.—1.50 cm. in width and 1.50 cm. in length.         -   Tepal color when flower is fully opened (adaxial             surfaces).—Individual colors 69D, 75B and 75C are present on             an individual tepal.         -   Tepal color when flower is fully opened (abaxial             surface).—69D.         -   Tepal color when flower is opening (abaxial and adaxial             surfaces).—Individual colors 69D and 145D are present on an             individual tepal.         -   Aspect.—Facing upward.         -   Flower shape.—Rotate.         -   Flower color when fully opened (adaxial surface).—Individual             colors 69D, 75B and 75C are present on an individual flower.         -   Flower color when fully opened (abaxial surface).—69D.         -   Flower color when opening (abaxial and adaxial             surfaces).—Individual colors 69D and 145D are present on an             individual flower.         -   Color of peduncle.—N144C.         -   Peduncle length.—Individual peduncles on an individual plant             range from 2-3 cm. in length.         -   Peduncle diameter.—2 mm. in diameter.         -   Peduncle shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.         -   Dimensions of flower.—1.75 cm. in depth and 3.50 cm. in             diameter.         -   Quantity of flowers ( 18 cm. container).—Quantity ranges             from 50-60 individual flowers on an individual commercial             container plant.         -   Bud color.—145C.         -   Bud apex.—Truncate.         -   Bud surface.—Mostly glabrous with only a few hairs.         -   Bud shape.—Quadrate.         -   Bud dimensions.—0.75 cm. in length and 0.25 cm. in width.         -   Sepals.—None observed.         -   Fragrance.—None observed. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—None observed.         -   Anthers.—None observed.         -   Stigma.—None observed.         -   Style.—None observed.         -   Ovary position.—Inferior.         -   Ovary shape.—Closest to elongated oval in shape.         -   Ovary dimensions.—6 mm. in height and 3 mm. in width.         -   Ovary color.—N144C. -   Seed: ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ is sterile and does not produce seed. -   Disease and pest susceptibility: None known to the inventor. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Catharanthus plant named ‘KITAJIMA ANGEL TUTU’ as described and illustrated. 